George Richardson was an outstanding amateur hockey player who grew up in the Kingston area at Limestone City. He made his debut with Queen's senior hockey team in 1903 and was known as a clean, gentlemanly player, a fine stickhandler, and prolific scorer. He scored five times against Princeton University in New York and was prominent against Yale University as Queen's won the intercollegiate title of America in 1903. Queen's was also the Intercollegiate Hockey Union champions in 1904 and 1906.

As an example of the character of the man, Richardson, as captain of Queen's 1906 team, in a playoff game against a strong McGill team, requested the referee to call no more penalties against his opponents. Queen's won that game, 13-3, with Richardson scoring five goals. In a tougher test, however, Richardson could manage only three goals versus the Ottawa Silver Seven in the two-game Stanley Cup challenge in February 1906 as Ottawa won the series by scores of 16-7 and 12-7.

Richardson starred at left wing for the 14th Regiment of Kingston hockey team that went on to the Ontario Hockey Association finals three consecutive years from 1907 to '09. He posted a record seven-goal game as Kingston won the OHA Senior crown, 9-7 over Stratford, in 1908. In later years, he served on the executive of the Kingston Frontenacs, junior champions of Canada in 1911.
Richardson was in Quebec City in August 1914 when war was declared and he immediately said: "That means me." He joined the army with the rank of Lieutenant and held the rank of Captain on his death. As a member of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion during World War I he was returning from a night raid when he was shot through the hips by enemy fire. He was dragged back to the trench while still conscious but died soon after.

In a 1921 tribute the Toronto Telegram called him "a hero in sport and war." The British Whig of Kingston described Richardson as "the best amateur in Canada." He was independently wealthy--his family owned the Richardson Grain Company--and he never turned professional.